‘Good day to you, Brother Eadulf,’ he stated as they drew together. ‘It is Brother Eadulf, is it not?’
Eadulf halted with a frown. ‘That is my name. I do not know you.’
‘Forgive me. I do not wish to appear to have the gift of second sight. I have seen you in the refectory and at prayers, of course. Bishop Leodegar announced your name to us in the chapel-your name and that of the Sister from Hibernia, Philomena…?’
‘Fidelma.’ Eadulf was annoyed that the man thought he could not possibly work out how he knew his name and would ascribe it to some supernatural effect. ‘Her name is Sister Fidelma.’
‘Ah yes, such a curious Hibernian name. But you are a Saxon, are you not?’
‘I am from the kingdom of the East Angles,’ corrected Eadulf in a heavy tone. ‘And you are?’
‘Forgive me again. I do not mean to create mysteries. I am Brother Andica. There is no mystery about me. I am from Divio and I am a Burgund.’
‘I thought the male community of the abbey were not allowed to visit the Domus Femini,’ Eadulf remarked, indicating the building with a movement of his head.
‘And neither are they-generally speaking,’ Brother Andica said condescendingly. ‘But here you are, presumably on your way to the Domus Femini.’
Eadulf reddened as the man turned his implied question into one directed at himself.
‘As you have already remarked, Brother Andica, Bishop Leodegar has explained why I am here,’ he replied.
‘Your investigation? You seek information among the women? How interesting. How does the investigation go? Are we soon to hear who killed the Hibernian abbot?’
‘You will hear no doubt when the investigation is concluded,’ Eadulf replied. ‘So why are you visiting the Domus Femini?’
Again came the flash of Brother Andicca’s white teeth. He was, thought Eadulf, an extremely vain young man.
‘Although our communities are separated, we do occupy the same abbey, and this necessitates some communication.’ Eadulf could hear his patronising tone. ‘I assure you, Brother, there is nothing sinister to my being there.’
Eadulf bridled. ‘I did not suggest there was,’ he snapped.
Again the flash of teeth.
‘Of course not, Brother,’ the man said in a pacifying tone which made Eadulf almost grind his own teeth. ‘I heard that a poisonous snake had bitten the Sister from Hibernia. I hope it is nothing serious.’
‘No, it is nothing serious,’ replied Eadulf.
‘That is good. At this time of year the vipers in this part of the world are active. They can cause fatalities.’
‘She has been well treated.’
‘Ah, by the excellent Brother Gebicca, no doubt? That is good. One should have a care of snakes.’
Eadulf stared at the annoying young man.
‘I agree, Brother Andica. We shall have an especial care of snakes from now on. And now, if you will forgive me, I must be about my business.’
‘Vade in pace,’ replied the young man in a grave voice but he was smiling as if it were a jest.
With a brief nod, Eadulf strode on to the door of the Domus Femini and reached for the bell chain. He tugged on it, his ill humour somewhat increased. It was some time before the hatch swung back and the sharp eyes peered at him.
‘Brother Eadulf to see the abbatissa,’ he announced curtly.
The hatch slid shut and he heard the bolts rasping, metal against metal, before the door opened and he stepped inside without awaiting an invitation. The door shut behind him and he turned to see Sister Radegund sliding the bolts back into position.
‘Who was the young Sister letting out Brother Andica a few moments ago?’ he asked the stewardess brusquely.
Sister Radegund blinked. She seemed surprised at his question. ‘Who? Brother who?’
Eadulf sighed impatiently. ‘It is a simple question, surely?’
Sister Radegund coloured. ‘I assure you, Brother Eadulf,’ her tone was cold, ‘only I have opened and closed this door this morning.’
‘Are you telling me that Brother Andica did not pass through this door a few moments ago?’
‘Brother Andica? I can assure you that no brother has been here.’
Eadulf opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. That such a barefaced lie could be told was beyond his capability to deal with. If Sister Radegund had argued that the blue sky was, in fact, red in colour, there was no means to discuss the matter. So it was with this denial.
‘You wish to see Abbess Audofleda?’ the stewardess asked. ‘If so, come with me.’
Without waiting for his answer, she turned and hurried off. Eadulf, recalling the way to the abbess’s chambers from the last visit, fell in step behind Sister Radegund who, as before, moved at a remarkably rapid pace.
Abbess Audofleda was standing in her chambers before the fireplace. It seemed chill in the dark stone rooms of the abbey in spite of it being a hot summer’s day outside. She was dressed in black robes, her dark eyes sparkling with controlled anger and her mouth a thin slit. Her hands, clasped tightly together before her, revealed the tension that was evident in the very stance of her body.
‘Brother Eadulf,’ announced Sister Radegund, taking up her stand as she had previously done in front of the closed door.
‘Well?’ The word from the abbess was a hiss, as if he were intruding in a place he was not wanted.
‘Abbatissa,’ Eadulf responded in an equally sharp tone, ‘I presume that you have spoken with Bishop Leodegar and you know why I have returned?’
Abbess Audofleda looked as if she was confronted by something distasteful.
‘I know that in spite of my protest at the arrogance displayed in your previous visit here, the bishop has informed me that I must see you again and answer your questions. I have been told that the woman from Hibernia lies ill from a snake bite, perhaps a just punishment for her arrogance. So I presume that you are to ask further questions.’
Eadulf’s face hardened. At least the attitude of the abbatissa did not soften his resolve to pursue the questions without making allowance for diplomacy.
‘As a member of the Faith, you will be comforted to know that Sister Fidelma has improved and is now healing from the bite of the poisonous snake,’ he replied, his voice heavy with sarcasm. ‘However, I am, indeed, here to act in her place in the pursuit of truth and justice. There should be no difficulties-veritas simplex oratio est-the language of truth is simple.’
Abbess Audofleda was clearly annoyed. ‘This matter is distasteful to me,’ she said. ‘So ask your questions, the quicker that this might be ended.’
‘Let us return to the matter of Sister Valetrade,’ began Eadulf.
‘We have already told you about her. She decided to leave us-that is all.’
‘Indeed,’ replied Eadulf. ‘You mentioned that she left you a note.’
The abbess sniffed. ‘What of it? They all left notes. She could read and write.’
‘I had assumed she could write,’ Eadulf replied without humour. ‘So she handed you this note?’
‘Sister Radegund gave me the note.’
Eadulf was turning to the stewardess when he suddenly paused as he realised what the abbess had said.
‘They all left notes?’
‘The women who departed all left notes telling me that they were leaving, rather than confronting me in person.’
‘And did they all hand these notes to Sister Radegund?’
Sister Radegund answered the question.
‘They did not hand them to me,’ she said sourly. ‘The notes were always left in my chamber where I carry out the administration of the Domus Femini.’
‘And you are saying that you had no discussions with any of those who chose to leave?’ he pressed. ‘Tell me, how many have left?’